The Modern Mercenary: Private Armies and What They Mean for World Order

There is a key page in this book introducing the concept of neo medievalism, as coined by Hedley Bull. There are five essential tests, which at the end of the Cold War, did not apply but with the advance of technology, overarching institutions like NGO, UN, the breakdown of states often covered by the creation of supra state organisations giving cover to devolving and decentralising state powers and the return of private violence/mercenary armies which is consistent with disengagement of some states eg US from collectives and the assumptions of single state actions.This book should be read in conjunction with McFates Goliath to gain a full oversight.

Well written and researched but not for the faint hearted. McFate skilfully combines first hand experience and academic rigour to reveal a world which, by his own admission, has been poorly researched. The title does it a bit of a disservice as the content provides a useful lens from which to view a number of modern geopolitical trends. It can be a little everygoing at times but this is more to the depth of detail and level of information to absorb than poor writing. The writer has a similar gift to Stieglitz and John Kay in being able to make a complex and often arcane subject accessible.

This is NOT some adrenaline pumped book of anecdotes. It is however a supremely well-written and researched explanation of what it is that modern mercenaries do. If I had had this book back when I was trying to GM Traveller, it would have been a game changer.

very necessary information if you you want to know how the world really works today.

This book made me think about warfare, governments and the United Nations in new ways. It certainly has opened my eyes to issues that I had previously barely considered and has given me much to think about. It has made me challenge some of my own assumptions and beliefs which is always a good thing. A valuable read to anyone interested in global affairs, though I can see it being uncomfortable reading to some governments who have to live with the implications of private warfare. To anyone with an interest in cause and effect and on the flow of global affairs through time this book should offer a useful perspective.